Sedate lady running 29 April – 05 May 2019 #amrunning #running

Oh dear. Two wonderful runs, the best I’ve had for ages, and then boof. A short recap today!

Tuesday – Went out for a solo run although I did run into lovely Tara in the park (she runs a dog-walking and pet care business so she’s often found in the park with a different dog). I had half an hour ish to run in during a busy work day of all sorts of deadlines, plus waiting in for deliveries (yes, I beat the cat food home!). So I decided to do some speed work. I didn’t set my watch to jeffing but I basically counted 30 paces fast and then 60 recovery for the first two miles. I was thrilled to see those two miles flash up with a pace starting with a 10. That’s nothing to most people, I know, but super-speedy for me. Then I recovered and chatted to Tara and said I was going to meander home gently, but I decided to push it again.

Three miles at under 11 mins per mile!

You can see my two miles of faster sprint sections in the cadence line along the bottom!

3.1 miles, 10:42 mins per mile

Wednesday – yoga (easy Dave) helped me relax when I was worried about a friend who was in for surgery (the friend was fine). I love seeing my little corner of yoga mates and also realised the lady I’d seen in the park with her dogs is indeed a lady from yoga.

Thursday – Another few deliveries but I had time to do five miles. I went for my old five-mile route, which I have done many times since I started running but not so much recently, taking a big loop down to one of the main roads, along to the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, back up a big long hill and along to home (more hill then a bit of down). It’s actually just over 5 miles. I started out quite happily fast (for me) and I just kept on going. I broke a couple of Strava segment records that I’ve been running 30+ times since 2015 and was under 12 minute miles up the terrible hill for the first time ever. It felt really good and comfortable, even though it was quite humid. In fact, by the end, I had activated reactolite sunglasses with raindrops on them!

I wore my new Omnis and no ankle pain now so they are confirmed as my marathon shoes (well, if …)

I have run this far faster recently but not on the hills so I was pleased to be feeling strong.

5.3 miles, 11:21 mins per mile.

And then …

I don’t think it was the hard running. I think it was being in London on all that public transport, in all those crowds, having forgotten my daily zinc pill, too, or the two people serving me in shops with a cough in the week. I wasn’t that run-down etc. But I got a cold. A blasted COLD. I felt icky on Thursday and it all developed on Friday. I cancelled yoga, put off a job (thank you, client!) until Monday, cancelled volunteering at parkrun on Saturday even though it was our big fundraising mob match, and, worst of all, cancelled my 24-mile run on Sunday. Argh!

I’m trying not to panic. Last year I got a cold 2.5 weeks before Manchester marathon which never went away and made me have to cancel the marathon. This is further out (mara is 26 May) and I did not go into the cold depleted and have not given myself nosebleeds using decongestants. I have aggressively rested, eaten fruit and veg, drunk rehydrating liquids (thank you, past me who bought that gatorade powder) and slept a lot.

The plan is to recover as well as I can, tail run or run with beginners on Tuesday for club if it’s not pouring with rain, and try for 20 on Sunday 12th [EDITED TO ADD: Only, and very much only, if I have completely kicked the cold, which is receding nicely, by then], with then one recovery weekend before the mara. I already have a 20 and a 22 under my belt, but from a while ago now, so hopefully that will be enough.

Miles this week: 8.4Miles this year: 386.7.

The Weekly Run Down is run by two wonderful running women and joined by lots of other inspirational women. Kim’s weekly wrap is here and Deborah’s is here.

Ok, remember I’m not a coach & have never run a marathon & of course also know nothing about ultra training. But it seems to me since you already have 2 20 milers (and then some) under your belt, squeezing in another when you already have a cold seems like pushing things?

I feel your pain, though. Seriously, I’d actually taken it somewhat easy last week. I wasn’t feeling particularly run down. This illness came out of nowhere.

Sending you some healing vibes & hoping that no matter what you choose to do, you’re healthy when you toe the line and enjoy the experience.

Oh, and I’d be very excited by any mile with a 10 in front of it for sure!

I was so sorry to hear about your illness – horrible! Hope you’re feeling better now. And I promise (and I’ve edited the blog post to make it more clear) there will be no more long runs if I’m not feeling absolutely tip top. My 20 was on 1 April and my 22 on 14 April and it feels like I would be better used to running long if I popped one into next weekend: I will then taper mightily.

Ok, I get that it’s been a long time, but still, I personally — especially since you’ve got a cold — wouldn’t do a 20 miler.

Our USAFit coach always said you could run a marathon with just going to 16 miles (which of course means I could’ve run one, LOL! Not!). But you’re experienced & you’ve already had those 2 really long runs.

You’re not trying to crush it. Your immune system is already weakened by a cold. You want to enjoy the marathon, right? My $.02 anyway (not sure what that translates into).

I’m not sure how I’m going to convince you that I’m not going to run long on Sunday unless I’ve kicked this cold. If I have any cold symptoms or any lingering deficits from being poorly, I will not run long. If I’m feeling fine and a test run on Thu or Fri has gone alright, I will run, but only if I’m feeling completely fine. I feel loads better today, in fact, though wouldn’t run.

Ugh, I hope you are feeling better soon. Spring colds are the worst, especially when you are so far along in your training. I know it’s hard, but I really think you are better off focusing on recovering than trying to push through a hard run.

I’ve edited the post to make this more clear: I’m not intending to push through anything if I’m still feeling ill or depleted. Having the marathon as a training run takes some pressure off but I’d rather have the practise in running long if I possibly can. I will be careful, though.

To echo Judy’s comment (and, I’m not a coach either LOL)….but you have a solid base and have two substantial long runs done. Let this cold run its course and (NO pun intended) then you can coast into taper and nail that race 😉 Hope you’re feeling better soon!!!

I have edited the post: I have no intention of doing another long run unless the cold and any post-cold depletion is out of my system. My 20 was 1 April and my 22 14 April and that seems a little too long ago: especially as this marathon is effectively a training run for the ultra, although I do need to get round in the cut-off, I would rather have the feeling of running long being a normal thing in my legs, if that makes sense. But I’ll keep an eye on myself and take it super-steady. I am already feeling like it’s receding, so fingers crossed!

I’m glad I remembered I bought that gatorade powder before I really liked my tailwind, as I’ve been making that up to get maximum rehydration. I had one at Christmas so I’ve done quite well – need to keep away from pesky people, obviously!

Thank you. I am feeling loads better this morning, actually. And although I have got some long ones done, they were coming up to a month ago or longer which seems a bit far out to me. I think I’ll be OK for an 18-20 taken carefully at the weekend.

It’s going – hooray! And they’re Saucony. I’m a big Saucony girl but hated the Guide 10s so have moved over to Hurricanes (too wobbly) and Omis (very structured but I like them a lot now). I do love my sunglasses, special running glasses with grippy rubber on the nose and reactolite lenses!

Glad your friend who had surgery is OK and that you’re on the mend. I think Manchester seems to have taught you to recover from your cold better if that makes sense.
Still chuckling at your caption froM Thursday’s five — kitty litter race

I certainly learnt about not getting overtired from Manchester and the way this fell I didn’t have to work apart from the first day which helped (back at work today but feeling pretty OK). And yes, and I beat it. And the cheese!

ah no! the week was going so well! I know the excitement of having some speedier intervals and mile splits! well done you! I hope you have a speedy recovery – I definitely don’t want to miss you in Liverpool!

Exciting because so rare, and then whoomf. Oh well, I do appear to be on the mend now so hopefully you’ll spot me and we can arrange to have a cuppa while I’m up there. There are a few of us Lions running so hopefully you’ll see a bunch of our boys, too!

Sorry about the post-London cold. I seem to have come down with the same. At least I am DONE running for awhile. I actually hadn’t been sick for years. I do think you’ll be better and ready to run by the end of the month.

I’m glad to hear that you are feeling better now. It’s an awful time of year for people coughing and sniffling everywhere. I’ve been keeping the bottle of Oil of Oregano outside of the bathroom cabinet, on the kitchen counter, to remind myself to take a dose when I’m heading out into the infection zone. *laughs* So far, so good.